| Author: | Cheung, Sandra Oi-ngor |
| Title: | A feminist analysis of family life education service |
| Degree: | M.A. |
| Year: | 1997 |
| Subject: | Family life education -- China -- Hong Kong Sex discrimination against women -- China -- Hong Kong Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations |
| Department: | Department of Applied Social Studies |
| Pages: | v, 72, [14] p. : ill. (some col.) ; 31 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Obstacles to the advancement of women have aroused world-wide concern. The subordination of women is found world-wide. However, there is rare studies which are concerned with the impacts of social policy as well as social services in structuring women's subordination. The traditional individualist approach and functionalist approach underpinning our social welfare policy as well as social services tends to shift the responsibility of solving social problems to women and reinforces the gender division of labour in the family. This study aims at examining whether Family Life Education (FLE) service is reinforcing the existing gender inequality in the family from a feminist perspective. Integrating the structuralist and post-structuralist perspective helps us to understand in what ways women's welfare is death with by the service. Content analysis was adopted to examine whether there was gender bias embedded in the booklet on FLE - a form of teaching aids on FLE service. Focus group interview was conducted with six FLE Officers (FLEOs) to expand the researcher's understanding of the practitioners' interpretation and perception on the gender relations between the two sexes. The results show that the service is still modelled on the 'conventional' form of family with the male breadwinner, and female carer and homemaker. FLEOs themselves have internalised the traditional gender division of labour and are reinforcing women's role as carer and women's subordination in the family without consciousness. Women's needs are sacrificed for the 'sake' or 'consolidarity' of the family. The subordination of women is socially constructed in FLE service. It is suggested to abolish the individualist and functionalist approaches, and reorientate our social services and practices with gender consciousness. More emphasis should be placed on sharing of the caring burden between men and women as well as state and women. Gender-sensitive education and practice are badly needed to promote workers' gender sensitivity at addressing women's problems. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b14053718.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 5.89 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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